What Should I Do Right Now?
This is an unsettling time for our country and our community, as we are in a public health emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In preparation for a Safe Re-Opening, Greene County Businesses should prepare their specific re-opening plan addressing the Business Safety Precautions outlined by New York State.
Effective May 19, New York will lift most capacity restrictions on businesses, venues, and gatherings.
- Business capacity limits will be replaced with space available to maintain 6ft social distancing
- Indoor social gathering limit will increase to 250
- Indoor residential gathering limit will increase to 50
- Outdoor residential gathering limit will be removed
- Large-scale indoor venue capacity will increase to 30% (proof of vaccination or recent negative test still required)
- Large-scale outdoor venue capacity will increase to 33% (proof of vaccination or recent negative test still required)
Effective Immediately:
- Outdoor social gathering limit is increased to 500
Business Safety Precautions
Each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical workspace safer, and implement processes that lower the risk of infection within the business.
In developing these plans, businesses will need to consider three main factors.
The first factor is protections for employees and customers. These include possible adjustments to workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace; enacting social distancing protocols, and restricting non-essential travel for employees.
The second is changes to the physical workspace, including requiring all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent close contact with others and implementing strict cleaning and sanitation standards.
The last factor for businesses to consider is implementing processes that meet our changing public health obligations, like screening individuals when they enter the workplace, or reporting confirmed positives to customers. While these processes will vary from business to business, almost everyone will have to adapt, in some way or another, to our new normal.
NYS Requirements for Businesses Re-Opening in Phase 1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on New York Forward and Business Reopening
When Can I Reopen My Business?
Guidance for Gyms & Fitness Centers
Please contact the Greene County Public Health Department to ensure compliance with State Reopening Guidelines and receive all required documentation.
See Gym & Fitness Center Guidlines
Compliance Information from Greene County Public Health
NYS Reopening Guidelines
NYS Business Reopening Safety Plan Template
Guidance for Restaurants
Face Coverings for Employees
As per New York State Executive Order 202.16, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public.
New York State Liquor Authority Guidance for Bars & Restaurants
Any on-premises licensee and any manufacturing licensee with on-premises retail privileges may sell for off-premises consumption any alcoholic beverages that it is able to sell for on premises consumption under the law.
New York Department of Health Guidance for Retail Stores
To help prevent spread of COVID-19, procedures and supplies should be in place to encourage proper hand and respiratory hygiene as well as routine cleaning and disinfection of high-risk locations. This guidance is provided for essential retail locations (grocery stores and pharmacies) in New York State so that owners, operators and other individuals can incorporate these procedures into their facility protocols.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Guidance for Nursing Homes
CMS is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of nursing home residents. In light of the recent spread of COVID-19, they have provided additional guidance to nursing homes to help control and prevent the spread of the virus.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
More Information on FFCRA
Resources from the Department of Labor
Greene County Legislators Request Property Owners to Remove Short-Term Rental Listings
As we meet the many challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greene County Legislature strongly requests that all property owners (including second homeowners) remove any short-term rental listings from services such as Air B&B and VRBO immediately.
With a full-time residency of under 50,000 people, Greene County simply does not have the service in-place to meet the needs of a sudden influx of travelers from outside the county. The reasons for this are detailed in a March 20th message from Greene County Legislature Chair Patrick S. Linger and supported by leaders throughout our rural communities.
We acknowledge the community spread of this outbreak, and lack of testing capabilities. So, as we work together to minimize the spread of this virus across our most vulnerable populations, we ask that property owners comply with this request to limit new exposures, and protect the health and welfare for all.
